Latest News and Film Office Updates
The Wilkes-Barre Metro Film Office (officially recognized Film Office by PA Department of Community and Economic Development) is dedicated to fostering the growth and development of the film industry in Wilkes-Barre and the greater Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. By collaborating with statewide film offices, primary producers, and studios from Hollywood to New York City and supporting independent filmmakers, we aim to create job opportunities and stimulate economic growth within our community.
Our rich cinematic heritage, exemplified by notable figures such as Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Jack Palance, and Lyman H. Howe, inspires our commitment to maintaining Wilkes-Barre’s legacy as a film production and innovation hub. Wilkes-Barre Metro Film Office is focused on building on the region’s storied history in the movie industry, positioning Wilkes-Barre as a vibrant and dynamic center for film production.
Coming Soon: Nanitcoke- Horror Film
An up-and-coming baseball star, Brad Chase, suffers a major injury, which ends his career. He finds himself returning home to his small Pennsylvania town to be honored. Brad soon realizes his hometown has a deep, dark secret that must be revealed to save the town from a military experiment that went wrong.
Recent Articles:
On Location:
Revisited films bring back memories of iconic NEPA places
Shadoe Steele and Professor Eric Ruggiero have collaborated for 15 years on the “On Location: Revisited” project, which revisits iconic filming sites to explore their transformation over time. Their work includes producing three notable documentary films on local landmarks such as Rocky Glen Park, The Woodlands Inn, and the Laurel Line railroad. Their documentaries capture the history and cultural significance of these locations, blending nostalgia with insightful commentary. Steele and Ruggiero’s dedication to preserving and highlighting regional heritage has earned them acclaim, including a first-place award at the Los Angeles Film Festival for their documentary on “The Blob.”
Read Full Article Now at Times Leader: https://www.timesleader.com/news/1665820/on-location-revisited-films-bring-back-memories-of-iconic-nepa-places
"Rocky Glen Park: One Last Look" Documentary
“Rocky Glen Park: One Last Look,” presented by Shadoe Steele and Eric M. Ruggiero, is an evocative documentary that revisits the final days of the iconic Wyoming Valley amusement park. The award-winning team, recognized at the Los Angeles Film Festival and by the Associated Press New York, combines Ruggiero’s artistic vision and Steele’s historical footage to craft a poignant narrative. Steele, a seasoned TV engineer, captured the park’s closure in 1987, preserving rare footage that underwent meticulous digital restoration.
The documentary features insights from prominent media figures and offers a nostalgic journey through the park’s history, culminating in its closure and the 1988 public auction. This regional episode of “On Location: Revisited” continues the series’ tradition of exploring significant non-studio landmarks and filming locations, capturing the human essence of these cherished places.
Wilkes-Barre Metro Film Office Supports Expanded Tax Credits
Despite an social media campaign advocating for an increase in Pennsylvania’s film tax incentive from $100 million to $300 million, the recently approved PA State budget has retained the current funding level. This decision, while disappointing, directly challenges the growth and expansion of the film industry in Pennsylvania.
Nevertheless, the Wilkes-Barre Metro Film Office, in support of the Pennsylvania Film Industry Association (PAFIA), remains committed to its mission of advocating for the film industry, its dedicated workers, and related businesses. We will continue to fight for more funding and support as well as focusing on bringing exciting opportunities to the region.
